Typographical composing-machine.



A. EIOHLER.

TYPOGRAPHICAL GOMPOSING MACHINE.

APYLIOATION FILED APR.8, 1911. 1,055,343, Patented June 24, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

A. EIGHLER.

TYPOGRAPHICAL GOMPOSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1911.

1,065,348. Patented June 24,1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTUR EICHLER, OF ZOSSEN, NEAR BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO MERGEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 24,1913.

Application filed April 8, 1911. Serial No. 619,663.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTUR EICHLER, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at ll asserstrasse 7, Zossen, near Berlin, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Typographical Composing- Machines, of which the following is a specificat-ion.

This invention relates to typographical composing machines of the class in which the matrices or devices to be composed, are stored in channeled magazines, and are mechanically released one at a time from their respective magazine channels, by mechanism whose operation is controlled by finger keys actuated by the operator.

So far as the present invention is concerned it matters not whether the machine is adapted to compose matrices, type dies or type, and for that reason the word matrix or matrices as herein employed, is intended to include all of such devices.

A well known example of the abovenamed class of composing machine, is that commercially known under the trade mark Linotype, and for convenience of illustration, that machine has been selected as the one in connection with which the present invention is herein described.

The object of the present invention is to provide means whereby matrices can be re leased. alternately from two different magazine channels by successive operations of one and the same key.

In the machines above particularized, the keys are attached to key levers the rear ends of which engage with key rods which, in turn, engage with so-called tumblers normally supporting cam yokes or carriages in their inoperative position. Each of the yokes or carriages, when released by its re.- spective tumbler, allows its cam to descend on to a constantly rotating roller, and, through the cooperation of this cam and roller, effects the lifting of the respective escapement rod which, when so lifted, operates the corresponding escapementto effect the release of the respective matrix.

The invention may be said to consist in means whereby, both of the tumblers of the respective escapement-rod actuating devices are caused to operate synchronously by each depression of a single key and only one of the said devices is released by such operation, the release of each of the said devices alternating with that of the other one. According to the present invention, the two cam carriages affected thereby, are subjected to a longitudinal displacement and operated by means of keys which, in one arrangement, are coupled together so that when the said cam carriages are released, they are subjected by their respective rollers to such a longitudinal displacement that the respective supporting tumblers will. not release the one so displaced, at the subsequent depression of the key.

If, prior to coupling the two keys together, the two respective cam carriages are brought into relatively different positions, the cam carriages, at every depression of the said keys, will be respectively released and temporarily held in raised position, and consequently at each such depression of the keys, a matrix will be released from only one of the two corresponding magazine channels. The constantalternation of. the release of the matrices from both channels by the mere depression of the coupled keys will thus be secured.

The return of the cam carriage to its normal position, from which it had previously been moved, can be effected by different methods, two of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1, 2, 3 and at are vertical cross sections showing the device forming the basis of the present invention, in respectively four different positions; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing another arrangement for returning the cam carriage after it has been moved, and Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively an elevation and a plan partly in section, showing means for operatively connecting together two non-adjacent key levers.

In the constructional form shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, two cam carriages 1 and 2, immediately adjacent and facing each other, have been taken as an example. Both carry, in the known manner, the pivoted cams or lifting disks 3, 3, which, when the carriages are in the raised position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are secured against turning by the fixed stops 4, 4-. The inner or adjacent extremities of the cam carriages 1, 2 normally rest on the supporting tumblers 5, 5, which are operated by depressing the keys 6, 7 which actuate the key rods 8, 9 respectively. The outer extremities of the cam carriages 1, 2 are pivoted on the respective wires 10, 10, herein also referred to axes. The continuously rotating rollers 11, 12 are, as ordinarily, mounted parallel to the axes 10 and extend one beneath each of the two parallel banks of cam carriages 1, 2 respectively. The inner extremities of the cam carriages 1, 2, operate their respective escapeinent rods 13, 13, which, as ordinarily, are operatively connected with the respective magazine channel escapements; these latter are not represented in the drawings as they constitute no part of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the cam carriages are made with longitudinal slots 14:, 114, which permit of them being moved in a longitudinal direction on the respective pivot wires 10. This movement takes place when a cam carriage, after its supporting tumbler 5 has been released by the depression of the respective key, descends on to the respective roller 11 or 12, which, rotating in the direction of the respective arrow, moves the corresponding cam carriage outwardly while at the same time rotating the cam 3 of such carriage. In order to insure a good working contact, between the cam carriages 1, 2 and the rollers 11, 12, the former can be provided with down wardly-presented surfaces 15 preferably serrated and extending below the cam pivots 16 to a distance greater than the length of the shortest radius of each of such cams. After being moved longitudinally, the respective cam carriage it is the carriage 1 in Fig. 2is brought into the position shown in dot and dash lines in that figure. The key 6 or 7, after being depressed and released, is returned immediately to its original position, as ordinarily, so that the respective tumbler 5 also again assumes its normal position. Consequent upon the longitudinal movement which it has received, the displaced cam carriage is caused to bear on the supporting tumbler 5 at a point nearer its inner extremity, as shown in Fig. 8 in connection with the carriage 1. If now, the key 6 appertaining to that carriage is depressed, the deflection of the respective tumbler 5 is not sutlicient to liberate the said carriage, which consequently, remains supported on its tumbler 5 and does not come into contact with the respective roller 11, and consequently, no matrix is released by that particular cam carriage. in order, however, to render the cam carriage again operative in response to a subsequent depression of the same key, a tooth or projection 17 is provided on the under surface of the cam carriage and within reach of the respective tumbler At every alternate 5 engages behind this projection (see the carriage 1 in Fig. so that upon the said key returning to its normal position, the respective tumbler 5 draws the cam carriage inward also into its normal, position, thus restoring the apparatus to the condition in which it is represented in Fig. 1.

By coupling together the two keys 6, '7 appertaining to the cam carriages 1, 2, the successive depression of either of them will effect the release of a matrix from the corresponding magazine channels alternately, so that the operator is relieved of all consideration as to which of the two keys he should depress when it. is desired to release a matrix from either of such channels. Any convenient means may be employed for coupling the keys together; for example, as shown. in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, if the two keys are immediately adjacent to each other they can be connected together by one or more links 18 in order that they shall operate simultaneously when. the operator depresses either of them. If the keys to be coupled are not adjacent to each other, then the connection is not effected through the keys themselves but an equivalent connection is made through the key rods say, for example, by the means illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings. In the arrangement here illustrated, there is provided at the rear of the key rods 8, 9, a horizontal shaft 19 capable of rocking about its axis say, in bearings 20, and having fast thereon two forwardlyprojecting arms 21 engaging with recesses one in each of the key rods 8, 9.

In order to render the two cam carriages 1, 2 alternately operative in response to the synchronous operation of their respective tumblers 5, it is only necessary, prior to the coupling together of the keys 6, 7 or key rods 8, 9, to bring one of the cam carriages into its innermost position and the other one into its outermost position, as shown in either Fig. 1 or Fig. 3.

When, after the carriages 1, 2 have been adjusted to the positions respectively assigned to them in Fig. 1, either of the corresponding keys 6, T is first depressed, the cam carriage 1 is released and descends on to the roller 11 so that by the engagement of its serrated surface 15, with the roller 11, it is moved longitudinally into its outermost position; at the same time the descent of the carriage 1, as ordinarily, disengagcs the cam thereof from the respective stop pin 1 and thereby allows the said cam to come into frictional contact with, and be rotated by, the roller 11 and thereby effect the operation of the respective escapement in the wellknown manner. at the termination of this operation the cam carriages 1, 2 come to restin the positions in which they are respec tively shown in Fig. 3, the carriage 2 having depression of a key, the supporting tumbler been drawn inward by its tumbler 5 which is then in engagement with its tooth 17, and the other tumbler 5 being then in advance of the respective tooth 17, and the keys 6, 7 having returned to normal position. At the following depressions of the keys, the operations above described are repeated, so that the two cam carriages 1, 2, will be operated alternately.

It will be understood that the position of the tumbler 5 which permits the engagement of the cam carriage or yoke with the actuating roll, as shown at the left of Fig. 2 or at the right of Fig. 4, is the one ordinarily occurring in mechanism of this character and is permitted by the passage of the tumbler arm into the space between the side walls of the carriage or yoke, which space is indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, and by full lines in Fig. 5.

If the two cam carriages 1, 2 are in the same row or rank whether or not they are actually next to each other, both cam carriages can be operatively connected so that the outward movement of each one effected by its roller 11 or 12, will eifect the inward movement of the other one simultaneously therewith. This result can readily be secured as shown in Fig. 5, by means of a two-armed lever 22 whose stationary pivot or fulcrum 23 is midway between its two ends and which is adapted to turn about the said pivot in a horizontal plane. The two extremities of the lever engage the outer ends of the two cam carriages 1, 2 which are pivoted on the common pivot wire 10. If one of these carriages therefore, is subjected to a longitudinal motion in an outward direction by its respective roller' say, 11, it will, through the lever 22, communicate this motion in a contrary direction to the other cam carriage, thereby returning the latter to its inner position. If the two cam carriages to be operatively coupled are far apart from each other or pivoted on differ ent parallel fulcra, they may be connected by suitably guided draw rods.

Instead of employing a key 6 or 7 for each of the two tumblers 5 which are to be worked synchronously, and either coupling together the said keys as in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and i or their respective key rods 8 or 9, as in Figs. 6 and 7, similar mechanical results may be obtained, when the tumblers concerned are adjacent to each other, either by employing a single key and two key rods, the key at its rear end being wide or thick enough to engage with both of the key rods, or by employing a single key and a single key rod, the latter, at its upper end, being engaged with both of the tumblers.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a typographical composing machine, two escapementactuating devices comprising cam yokes and means for acting thereon simultaneously, the said cam yokes being arranged to operate alternately.

2. In a typographical composing ma chine, two escapement-actuating devices comprising cam yokes and means for acting thereon simultaneously, the said cam yokes being arranged so that one operates and the other is prevented from operating at the same time.

3. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two escapementactuating devices each comprising a cam yoke, and a common selecting means connected thereto, the actuating devices being so arranged that the action of the selecting means causes the operation of one of the cam yokes and moves it to inoperative position.

4. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two escapementactuating devices each comprising a cam yoke, and a common selecting means con nected thereto, the actuating devices being so arranged that the action of the selecting means causes the operation of one of the cam yokes and moves it to inoperative position and simultaneously moves the other cam yoke to operative position.

5. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two escapement actuating devices, two separate and distinct sets of operating mechanisms therefor, and selecting means, the said mechanisms comprising means whereby they will be caused to operate alternately by the repeatedactuations of the selecting means.

6. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement-actuating devices and separate operating and selecting means therefor, the said mechanisms being so arranged and connected that the actuating devices are caused to operate in a definite repeating order of succession irrespective of the order in which the selecting means are operated.

7. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement-actuating devices and separate power-driven operating mechanisms therefor, one adapted to operate while the other is at rest, the said mechanisms being so arranged and connected as to cause the operation of the actuating devices in a definite predetermined order.

8. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of escapement-actuating devices, separate powerdriven operating mechanisms therefor, and separate selecting means, the said mechanisms and means being so arranged and connected as to cause the operation of the actuating devices in a definite predetermined order.

9. In a typographical composing ma chine, the combination of a plurality of escapement-actuating devices, each comprising a cam yoke, operating means therefor, and common selecting means acting by repeated movements to throw the cam yokes into operation alternately.

10. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two power-driven escapement-rod actuating devices, two syn chronously-actuated tumblers adapted to render the said devices operative, and means adapted to render each of the said devices alternately responsive and irresponsive respectively to alternate actuations of the tumblers.

11. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two cam carriages, two tumblers adapted to support. the cam carriages in inoperative position, means adapted to operate the tumblers for releasing the cam carriages, means adapted to secure the operation of the two tumblers only simultaneously, and means adapted to render each of the cam carriages alternately responsive and irresponsivc respectively to alternate operations of the tumblers.

12. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two cam carriages, pivots for the respective carriages, slots in the carriages engaging with, and to enable them to move longitudinally on, the pivots, two tumblers adapted to support the cam carriages and to be operated always synchronously, and means whereby the cam carriages, when released by the tumblers, are moved longitudinally on their pivots.

In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two cam carriages, pivots for the respective carriages, slots in the carriages engaging with, and to enable them to move longitudinally on, the pivots, two tumblers adapted to support the cam carriages and be operated always synchronously, and means whereby the cam carriages, when released by the tumblers, are simultaneously moved longitudinally on their pivots in relatively opposite directions.

1 In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two cam carriages, pivots for the respective carriages, slots in the carriages engaging with, and to enable them to move longitudinally on, the pivots, two tumblers adapted to support the cam carriages and be operated always sym-hronously, and means whereby the tumblers are caused to move the cam (I-arriages longitudinally on their pivots.

In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two cam carriages, pivots tor the respective carriages, slots in the carriages engaging with, and to enable them to move longitudinally on, the pivots, two tumblers adapted to support the cam carriages and be operated always synchronously, continuously rotating rollers beneath the cam carriages, and means whereby the latter, when released by the tumblers, make operative contact with, and are moved longitudinally on their pivots by, the rollers.

16. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two cam carriages, pivots for the respective carriages, slots in the carriages engaging with, and to enable them to move longitudinally on, the pivots, two tumblers adapted to support the cam carriages and be operated always synchronously, continuously rotating rollers beneath the cam carriages, and means whereby at each complete operation of the tumblers, one of the carriages makes operative contact with, and is moved longitudinally on its pivot by, the respective roller, and the other carriage is moved longitudinally on its pivot by the respective tumbler.

17. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two cam carriages, pivots for the respective carriages, slots in the carriages engaging with, and to enable them to move longitudinally on, the pivots, two tumblers adapted to support the cam carriages and be operated always synchronously, continuously rotating rollers beneath the cam carriages, and means whereby, when one of the carriages is released by its tumbler, the respective roller moves the said carriage on its pivot in one direction and the other carriage on its pivot in the reverse direction.

18. In a typographical composing ma chine, the combination of two escapement rods, two cam carriages adapted to operate the said rods, two synchronously operated tumblers adapted to support the carriages in inoperative position, and means adapted to render each of the cam carriages alternately responsive and irresponsive respectively to alternate operations of the tumblers.

19. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two escapement rods, two cam carriages adapted to operate the said rods, two tumblers adapted to sup-- port the carriages in inoperative position, means operatively connecting the two tumblers so that they can be operated only synchronously, and means adapted to render each of the cam carriages alternately respo11- sive and irresponsive respectively to alternate operations of the tumblers.

20. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two escapemei'it rods. two cam carriages adapted to operate the said rods, two synchronously operated tumblers adapted to support the carriages in inoperative position, two key rods operatively connected with the respective tumblers, means operatively connecting the two key rods so that they can be operated only synchronously, and means adapted to render each of the cam carriages alternately responsive and in responsive respectively to alternate operations of the key rods.

21. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of two escapement rods, two cam carriages adapted to operate the said rods, two synchronously operated tumblers adapted to support the carriages in inoperative position, two key rods operatively connected with the respective tuinblers, two keys operatively connected with the respective key rods, means operatively connecting the two keys together so that they can be operated only synchronously, and means adapted to render each of the cam carriages alternately responsive and irresponsive respectively to alternate operations of the tumblers.

22. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of cam carriage, a pivot for said carriage, a slot in the carriage engaging the pivot and enabling it to slide thereon longitudinally, a key-controlled tumbler adapted to support the carriage in normal position, and a tooth on the carriage adapted to be engaged by the tumbler to enable the latter to move the carriage longitudinally.

23. In a typographical machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix releasing devices, a corresponding plurality of operating means, and means for causing the operation of the releasing devices in a predetermined order irrespective of the order in which the said operating means are actuated.

24. In a typographical machine, the com bination of aplurality of matrix releasing devices, a corresponding plurality of powerdriven mechanisms for actuating the devices, selecting keys, one for each of the powerdriven mechanisms, and means whereby the power-driven mechanisms will be successively thrown into action irrespective of the order in which the selecting keys are operated.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

' ARTUR EICHLER.

Vitnesses HENRY HAsPnR, VVOLDEMAR HAUPT.

Copies, of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

